Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 2
षडध्ववेदनम् (Ṣaḍadhva-vedanam) — The Sixfold Path: Sound, Meaning, and Tattva-Distribution
नास्ति कश्चिदशब्दार्थो नापि शब्दो निरर्थकः । ततो हि समये शब्दस्सर्वस्सर्वार्थबोधकः
nāsti kaścidaśabdārtho nāpi śabdo nirarthakaḥ | tato hi samaye śabdassarvassarvārthabodhakaḥ
Il n’est point de sens dépourvu de parole, ni de parole véritablement sans sens. Ainsi, selon la convention établie et l’usage juste, chaque mot devient révélateur de l’intention du sens.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It affirms the Shaiva view that scriptural language (śabda) is purposeful: when received through proper tradition and context, words reliably disclose meaning, supporting śāstra as a valid means of knowing Shiva-tattva and the path to liberation.
Linga worship is guided by mantra, names, and ritual injunctions; this verse underlines that such sacred words are not empty sounds—through agreed usage in the Shaiva tradition, they point to Shiva’s presence and make devotion and understanding effective.
It supports mantra-japa done with correct pronunciation and understood meaning—especially Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—since śabda, when aligned with tradition, becomes a direct aid to contemplation and worship.